Top 10 Healthy Cities in U.S.

Why blame the extra pounds on a lack of willpower when you can blame them on your city? According to American Fitness Index, the city you live in plays an important role in the state of your overall health.

Evaluating the 50 most populous cities in the U.S., the AFI published a report by measuring 30 factors (including diet, disease rates, mortality and physical attributes of residents, as well as recreational centers available in the city).

The AFI study ranked the 50 cities to “help recognize and celebrate areas of success, and bring focus to areas that need attention and improvement.” Click through to the end to see which city takes the cake (er, carrot?). The winning city may surprise you!

#10

Sacramento, California

Total Score: 65.3

Strengths:
High number of farmers’ markets per capita
High number of healthy eaters
Low number of smokers
Low number of people with diabetes
High number of commuters that bike or walk

#9

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Total Score: 65.8

Strengths:
Low unemployment number
Low number of households beneath poverty level
High number of healthy eaters
Low number of people with heart disease
Large amount of parkland

#8

Seattle, Washington

Total Score: 66.5

Strengths:
Low unemployment number
High median household income
Low number of households beneath poverty level
Low number of smokers
Low number of people with heart disease

#7

Hartford, Connecticut

Total Score: 66.8

Strengths:
Low unemployment number
High median household income
Low percentage of households beneath poverty level
High number of physically active inhabitants
High number of healthy eaters

#6

San Francisco, California

Total Score: 66.8

Strengths:
High median household income
Low number of households beneath poverty level
Low number of smokers
Low number of people with obesity
Low number of people with heart disease

#5

Denver, Colorado

Total Score: 67.6

Strengths:
Low percent of unemployment
High number of physically active people
Low number of people with obesity
Low number of people with heart disease
Low number of people with diabetes

#4

Portland, Oregon

Total Score: 67.7

Strengths:
Low percentage of households beneath poverty level
High number of physically active people
Low number of people with heart disease
Low number of people with diabetes
Low death rate for cardiovascular disease

#3

Boston, Massachusetts

Total Score: 69.1

Strengths:
Low percent of unemployment
High median household income
Low number of households beneath poverty level
Low number of smokers
Low number of people with obesity

#2

Washington, D.C.

Total Score: 76.8

Strengths:
Low percent of unemployment
High median household income
Low number of households beneath poverty line
High number of healthy eaters
Low number of smokers

#1

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Total Score: 77.2

Strengths:
Low percentage of unemployment
High median household income
Low percentage of households beneath poverty line
High number of physically active people
Low number of smokers

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Where does your city stand? Check out the AFI Quick View for an infographic with each of the city’s rankings. Then check out which countries are the healthiest in the world.